Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan and South Korea, to adopt a more pragmatic approach to regional security, echoing China's own historical experiences with neighboring nations. He emphasized the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding in addressing common challenges such as terrorism and climate change. The call comes ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where Xi is expected to strengthen ties with fellow member states.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334026.shtmlU.S. Secretary of Commerce Robert Bessent believes that tariffs, tax cuts, and deregulation will drive U.S. growth and investment. He also calls for stronger defense commitments from allies ahead of trade talks with South Korea. A pre-negotiated deal may avoid some U.S. tariffs on April 2, as South Korean officials have proposed economic and industrial cooperation ideas, including in the shipbuilding industry, which is a key area of focus due to China's dominant capacity.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-05-14/business/economy/Bessent-says-Korea-presented-very-good-proposals-in-trade-talks-before-election-cycle/2306777The US is likely to see "depressed investment" in businesses due to uncertainty over shipping costs, which could be alleviated by lasting deals with China and other countries. Lamar from the American Automobile Manufacturers Alliance (AAFA) has called for Trump to strike such deals. Without a permanent tariff rollback, firms are uncertain about long-term sourcing and investment decisions, as seen in Glo's expansion outside the US to ship Chinese-made products to Europe or elsewhere.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/panic-and-paralysis-us-firms-fret-despite-china-tariff-reprieveUS President Trump's policies, including tariffs and immigration crackdowns, are causing concern among Chinese AI software engineers in Silicon Valley, who feel undervalued and unappreciated by the US government. A recent dinner conversation with these engineers revealed their frustration, particularly after Vice President J.D. Vance described trading with China as buying from "Chinese peasants." As a result, some of these engineers are considering leaving the US for higher-paying jobs in China, citing the country's more welcoming attitude towards international researchers and entrepreneurs.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/05/silicon-valley-reacts-to-trump/682799/Economists, businesses, and companies have warned that tariffs could lead to increased prices for consumer products. US President Trump aims to use tariffs to revive manufacturing jobs lost to lower-wage countries, shift tax burden from families to industries, and reduce the national debt. Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, which can be absorbed by importers or passed on to consumers through higher prices.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/trumps-trade-deals-keep-baseline-10-tariff-in-place-so-far/article_97f0a368-1e95-5f55-a913-9e8e04b4864a.htmlThe policies of former US President Donald Trump have raised concerns about the long-term impact on America's economic standing. His administration's reduction in research funding has been particularly alarming, as seen in the significant decrease in National Science Foundation grants during his term. Additionally, his stance on immigration and trade has led to increased tensions with countries like China and Mexico, potentially disrupting global supply chains and hindering US businesses' ability to compete.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/05/14/world/american-exceptionalism-meets-its-maker/US lawmakers and foreign policy experts are sounding the alarm about the US's approach to East Africa, warning that focusing on individual leaders rather than strengthening institutions and empowering young populations could deepen global insecurity. Chairman Sen. James Risch called for a shift in US policy, while former ambassador Michelle Gavin noted that East African countries are turning to China due to a lack of meaningful US messaging, as they believe China better understands the challenges faced by resource-rich nations struggling with poverty and unemployment.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/05/13/east-africa-senate-hearing/2411747160605/China has unveiled a white paper outlining its stance on trade tensions with the US, highlighting how other countries have disregarded international obligations and imposed tariffs that disrupted global economic order. The document also mentions plans to build a free trade zone in Hainan, an island province in the South China Sea, and establish offices to review foreign investments that could impact national security. China reiterated its support for "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan and completion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. However, the paper's author, Amador, warned that it may not change China's positioning on disputed areas, citing concerns over China's military activities in the region.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/05/14/us-typhon-missile-system-in-philippines-is-a-subtle-headache-for-china/German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's European Union "free trade initiative" aims to counter US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which are expected to significantly impact Germany's exports. One in four German jobs rely on foreign trade, and China is considered an "important partner", but Merz plans to pursue a policy of "strategic de-risking" to reduce economic dependencies.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/merz-vows-to-rev-up-german-economic-growth-engine/article_5f6f6c30-c7d2-546c-81ea-7c6ca3d7963f.html